Sam Retford

Sam Retford (born 22 June 1999) is an Australian-English actor, known for portraying the role of Cory Wilson on the Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge.

Retford was born in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. His family then relocated to Crewe, England. He studied at Brine Leas High School. He later studied acting at The Lowry Actors Company. Before he began acting professionally, Retford aspired to be a marine biologist.

Retford began acting in fringe productions around the Manchester theatre scene, such as Lord of the Flies and The Newspaper Boy. Retford made his television debut in Hollyoaks: Tom’s Life, a Hollyoaks spinoff series. The series premiered in 2014 on All 4, and he portrayed the role of Nate for four episodes. In 2017, he began portraying the role of Cory Wilson in the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge. His storylines in the series have revolved around the subject of domestic abuse, coming to terms with his sexuality, and having an illegal relationship with a teacher. Retford stars in three series of Ackley Bridge.

In August 2018, he co-starred in the musical Closets, alongside Lloyd Daniels. In February 2019, Retford made his London theatre debut when he starred in Kings of Idle Land as Michael, at the VAULTS festival. Later that year, Retford appeared at Diana Award anti-bullying events in Blackpool and London. In December 2019, he portrayed the role of Tyler Begbie in an episode of the BBC medical drama Casualty.